#7 Most Educated, Mayor of Pike Road Alabama, Taping for State of County, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Stanley Cup Visit, and Veolia Pickleball National Championships

Raleigh-Cary #7 Most Educated

This week, WalletHub named the Raleigh-Cary metro area the #7 most educated metro in the country. Here’s what they had to say:

“Research Triangle Park has helped turn Raleigh-Cary into a magnet for scientists, engineers, technology workers, and other highly trained professionals. Its location within North Carolina’s Research Triangle connects the metro to major universities and research activity, strengthening the relationship between local education and employment.”

With no offense to Raleigh, but I’m pretty sure Cary did a lot of the heavy lifting on this one. After all, 80% of Cary adults have some form of college degree. We’ll gladly share the credit, though. 

Mayor of Pike Road Alabama

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of meeting the mayor of Pike Road, Alabama. He is planning to bring a group of approximately 200 people to Cary in early December.

The group will primarily tour the downtown area and will be interested in learning about Cary’s approach to development, thinking outside the box, incorporating nature into the community, and fostering economic development.

We’ll be connecting over the next few weeks to flesh out the details and identify others who can help make their visit meaningful and engaging.

Taping for State of the County

Wednesday morning, I taped a message for Wake County as part of their State of Wake County. My message was:

“Cary continues to be the region’s center for sports! We recently brought back professional pickleball, committed to multi-year partnerships with NC Courage and The Soccer Tournament, and secured an unprecedented deal with the NCAA. With your support, we’re able to host these unforgettable experiences for fans and players from near and far.”

And FYI to the media, rumor spreaders, and conspiracy theorists: this was NOT a production crew costing thousands of dollars. 

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA

Thursday evening, I had the opportunity to join four other council members at a Raksha Bandhan ceremony hosted by members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA. This national organization has five chapters locally.

Raksha Bandhan, often referred to as Rakhi, is a popular annual Hindu festival celebrating the sacred bond of love, care, and mutual protection between siblings. The name comes from Sanskrit and literally means “the bond of protection.” The festival is traditionally observed on the full-moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana, which typically falls in late August.

The ceremony began with introductions, followed by an explanation of the significance and traditions of Raksha Bandhan. We then participated in the tying of the Rakhi, a sacred thread symbolizing protection and goodwill. Rakhis were presented to elected officials, the police chief, fire chief, and assistant town manager. We learned that traditionally, a sister ties the Rakhi on her brother’s wrist, and the brother reciprocates with a gift, such as chocolates.

I first participated in a Raksha Bandhan ceremony in 2009, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to take part again. Cary is a community that celebrates, welcomes, and embraces people from all cultures and traditions. Events like this are a wonderful reminder of the diversity that makes our community so special.

Stanley Cup Visits Cary

Sunday afternoon, I had the pleasure of joining firefighters, their families, and fellow town officials at Fire Station #2 for a very special opportunity to have our pictures taken with the Stanley Cup!

This once-in-a-lifetime experience was made possible through the generosity of Mike Sunheim, Carolina Hurricanes Vice President of Communications and a downtown Cary resident. Being able to see, and actually touch, the Stanley Cup was truly an unforgettable treat. I was able to join Brittany Richards with family and friends for a photo.

Thank you, Mike, for making this special moment possible!

And, of course… GO CANES! 

Veolia Pickleball National Championships

Later Sunday afternoon, I had the honor of presenting four of the five championship trophies at the Veolia Pickleball National Championships. Thanks to the Veolia team for making my visit so special. And congratulations to all of this year’s champions:

• Hunter Johnson — Men’s Singles
• Anna Leigh Waters — Women’s Singles
• Ben Johns and Gabriel Tardio — Men’s Doubles
• Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters — Women’s Doubles
• Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin — Mixed Doubles

It was fantastic to watch the best pickleball players in the world compete for a national championship, and I was honored to be part of the program.

Even if you’re not a pickleball fan, events like this are important to Cary. The championship generates millions of dollars in economic impact for our community, benefiting local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and more.

Cary was proud to host this championship, and I hope we have the opportunity to welcome many more major events like this in the future!

August 2026 Housing Market Update

The following is a housing market update for August 2026 based on the latest Doorify MLS data. The data highlights key shifts compared to both the previous month (July 2026) and the same period last year (August 2025).

August 2026 Housing Market Summary

Metric	August 2026	vs. July 2026	vs. August 2025
Median Sales Price	$460,000	-5.2%	-5.0%
Closed Sales	1,436	-8.5%	-6.1%
Median Days on Market	30	+15.4%	+7.1%
List Price Received	98.6%	-0.0%	+0.1%
Median Sold $/SqFt	$220	-1.8%	-2.0%
New Listings	1,881	-16.0%	+2.2%
Active Inventory	4,897	-6.2%	+4.7%
Months Supply of Inventory	3.4	+2.5%	+10.1%

Key Takeaways

• Price Moderation: The median sales price fell to $460,000, reflecting a 5.2% dip month-over-month and a 5.0% decline year-over-year.
• Sales Activity: Closed sales dropped by 8.5% from July to 1,436 transactions. New listings also saw a noticeable drop (-16.0%) heading into late summer.
• Market Pace: Homes are taking longer to sell, with days on market up 15.4% to a median of 30 days. However, sellers are still receiving 98.6% of their original list price.
• Inventory Balance: Total supply sits at 3.4 months, which remains higher than last year’s levels (+10.1%), signaling a subtle shift toward a more balanced market.

Town Manager’s Report

Council,

Cary Police will host a community meeting for homeowners associations and residents in the area of Ederlee Drive. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis United Methodist Church, 2965 Kildaire Farm Road. 

Also, as we head into the Labor Day weekend, just a quick reminder that Town Hall will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7.

I hope you all have a great long weekend.

Russ Overton

Interim Town Manager

Moving Forward Dashboard Updates

Cary has updated its Moving Forward Dashboard to reflect progress through this week, changing the status of four recommendations (WBD 01, WBD 02, WBD 11, and WBD 13) from Not Started to Research.

Cary Christian Church Archeological Findings

Staff responded to Councilmember Craig’s inquiry regarding remnants of Cary’s First Black Church at 600-604 Kildaire Farm Road:

“…

Thank you for copying us on this email. I can share some additional information that may be helpful. In 2021 to 2022, Cary commissioned an assessment associated with the Higgins Greenway project. This assessment found that the location of the church is on an unaddressed parcel (PIN 0763484676), which is adjacent to the properties now owned by the Town of Cary. The assessment found that the brick foundation and other associated site features are located within this adjacent parcel and not on the properties owned by the Town of Cary. There are a few helpful maps and photographs included within the report (linked above). Additionally, Katherine Loflin reached out to us this morning to let us know she had coordinated and asked us to add this item to the HPC agenda this Wednesday. We would be happy to share the findings of this assessment as background information during the HPC meeting.

…”

311 Monthly Snapshot

311 processed 11,088 new cases in August.

Volume by Contact Method

• Phone: 6,955
• Email: 1,630
• Web: 1,242
• Internal: 705
• Text: 297
• Walk-In: 221
• Social Media: 38

53.09% of cases fell into these top five categories:

• Utility Billing and Service: 2,462
• Inspections Scheduling and Status: 1,533
• Permitting Inquiries and Payments: 749
• Water Meter Service: 617
• PRCR Program and Registration: 526

Click here for a more detailed look at Cary 311 activity trends.

Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina Road Widening

Beginning September 9, road widening work will begin along the Chapel Hill Road frontage of the Sri Venkateswara Temple. This required improvement for the new Religious Hall project is expected to be completed by the end of September. Traffic flaggers will manage the area daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Travelers should anticipate minor delays during these hours and plan accordingly.

Old Apex Road Repaving Work Completed

During the evenings this week, contractors working for NCDOT completed resurfacing of Old Apex Road. The project spans from West Chatham Street in Cary westward into the Town of Apex. Prior to the resurfacing, NCDOT updated pedestrian curb ramps to bring them up to current ADA standards. The next and final step for the project will be the installation of new pavement markings. This paving and enhancement work was funded entirely by NCDOT.

This project is a great example of the collaboration between Cary and NCDOT. Cary Utilities staff recently completed a major water line project along Old Apex Road at Cary Parkway. The schedules for these two projects were coordinated to ensure a successful final product. Our Traffic Management and Public Works staff monitored traffic operations to keep traffic flowing efficiently along the corridor.

Championship Partnership Extends Beyond Pickleball Courts

Early Wednesday, Cary staff welcomed Veolia representatives and Carvana PPA Tour players to Carpenter Park on the sidelines of the Veolia Pickleball National Championships. After a tour and discussion of food security, pollinator protection, and composting, participants helped weed, replant, and water a community garden bed for autumn crops. Veolia is the PPA Tour’s Official Sustainability Partner and aims to volunteer in each community where it sponsors a tournament. The global environmental services company also has a significant local presence on Weston Parkway.

Teen Council New Member Orientation

Cary Teen Council held its New Member Orientation on Sunday, August 31, at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. More than 330 eighth through tenth graders attended in person to review the rules and expectations of membership. The program offers Cary teen residents an opportunity to build leadership and accountability through volunteer service to the community. With orientation complete, Cary Teen Council heads into the fall volunteer season with a full council of 945 members.

Wake County Football Showcase

This past Saturday, WakeMed Soccer Park hosted the fourth annual Wake County Football Showcase. Presented by National Amateur Sports (NAS) and the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), the doubleheader featured Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School vs. Dudley High School (Greensboro), followed by Wakefield High School vs. Holly Springs High School. The event gives student-athletes a memorable opportunity to compete in a premier stadium environment, complete with amenities and a game-day atmosphere far beyond those of their traditional home fields.

Important Dates

Council Committee
Tuesday, September 8
6:30 p.m.

Town Council Work Session
Thursday, September 10
5:00 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission
Wednesday, September 9
6:30 p.m.

Town Council Regular Meeting
Thursday, September 10
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A complaint about Representative Von Haefen’s comments about the Ederlee Drive tragedy: “Mayor, Representative Von Haefen said, ‘I’m just gonna be continuing to push the Town of Cary to fund this beacon or to figure out if we need to move this crosswalk’. Translation: I am an elected state official that can’t convince a state office to do their job, so I am going to ask the Cary taxpayers to do it for me even though they have paid their state taxes to have this done already. I don’t understand why you don’t say anything and stand up for Cary”. (While it is extremely disappointing to hear this, I think it is important to note that NCDOT and Cary have and will continue to work together solve issues such as this.)
• Several complaints and a petition about a potential sale of the properties at 600 and 604 Kildaire Farm Road that were bought without council approval for affordable housing. The requesters want to use these properties as open space. (These properties were not acquired through the property acquisition process and were reportedly purchased for affordable housing. If that was the intended purpose, the purchase should have been brought before the Council for deliberation, and the public should have had an opportunity to comment before the decision was made.

Although the future use of this land has not been discussed by the Council, every Council member except me has stated that affordable housing is their highest priority. In my opinion, if these properties are not sold, they will likely ultimately become affordable housing apartments, which IMHO is not the best use of this land in such a critical location downtown.

Ironically, using this land for parks or open space creates a similar problem: it bypasses the established process. There are already parks throughout the community with significant financial needs, and decisions about allocating public resources for additional open space or parkland should be considered alongside those existing priorities through an open and transparent process.)

• A concern expressed about future public speaking and decorum policy.
• Comments about data centers.
• A complaint about flock cameras.
• A complaint about the Franklin Condos development plan (This is not a council decision).
• A request for a grocery store to go into parcels 600 and 604 Kildaire. (Council does not have authority to specify a specific type of use such as grocery stores).
• A complaint about the power outage caused by a railroad helicopter.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a council committee meeting, the Chamber of Commerce banquet, a council work session, a council meeting, and the 20^th anniversary of the Miracle League of the Triangle. My next post will be on Sunday, September 13th, 2026. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov. Note that all emails sent to me in my role as mayor are public documents.

Dashboard of Recommendations by Cherry Bekaert, OSA, and Womble Bond Dickinson

The latest updates on the Town’s actions in response to recommendations from Cherry Bekaert, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA), and Womble Bond Dickinson are available on the Town’s Moving Forward Dashboard. There are 39 recommendations in total. This link gives the progress on each of those recommendations:

https://www.carync.gov/connect-engage/newsroom/bottom-line/moving-forward-dashboard

You can also sign up to receive notifications whenever the dashboard is updated.

Council Initiated Items

The council has a process that allows members to introduce items for discussion at meetings, often leading to further action. Given the recent increase in these requests, I will begin sharing them here along with my perspective on their pros and cons.

Sell Properties at 600 and 604 Kildaire Farm Road

I submitted this item and Council member Bansal provided the second. It will be addressed at a future meeting.

The following is my reasoning:

“Good government depends on transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. When significant real estate purchases are made despite staff recommendations against acquisition, or when information about those purchases was not fully communicated to the entire Town Council or the public, it raises legitimate questions about the decision-making process. Even if the purchases were made with good intentions, the appearance of limited transparency can undermine public confidence.

Selling the properties would accomplish several important objectives.

First, it would return public funds that could be redirected toward higher priority needs such as transportation improvements, parks, public safety, stormwater infrastructure, or reducing future tax and fee pressures. Every dollar tied up in property without a defined public purpose is a dollar unavailable for more immediate community priorities.

Second, selling the properties would demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility. Holding them simply because they have already been purchased is not sound financial management. Decisions should be based on current public value, not past expenditures.

Third, a sale would reinforce the principle that major financial decisions deserve full transparency. Residents expect elected officials to have complete information before voting on expenditures involving public funds. If there are concerns that the full Council or the public did not receive sufficient information before these purchases, the appropriate response is to correct course openly rather than continue defending a questionable decision.

Finally, selling the properties would provide an opportunity to rebuild public trust. The Town could conduct a transparent process that includes an independent appraisal, public disclosure of the financial impacts of the purchase and sale, and an open discussion of alternative uses for the proceeds. Such a process would demonstrate that Cary is committed to accountability and evidence-based decision-making.

The question should not be whether the Town can justify a past decision, but whether continuing to own these properties represents the best use of taxpayer resources today. If the answer is no, which I believe it is, the responsible course of action is to sell them through an open and competitive process and reinvest the proceeds in priorities that provide clear, measurable benefits to the entire community.”

PROS:

• Frees up public funds.
• Demonstrates fiscal discipline.
• Reinforces transparency and accountability.
• Helps in restoring public confidence.
• Reduces carrying costs.

CONS:

• The town could lose future strategic opportunities.
• There is potential for financial loss.
• Loss of control over development.
• Missed appreciation.
• Selling could limit future flexibility.

Partnering with the school board to pilot school zone safety improvements

This proposal was submitted by Council Member Bansal, and I provided the second. It was brought up at the May 28^th Council meeting.

Several schools in Cary, particularly middle schools and high schools, are experiencing transportation safety concerns on and around school property. While the schools are responsible for transportation operations on campus and NCDOT oversees roadway infrastructure decisions, progress on improvements has been slow and resident complaints have continued to increase. This proposal would direct staff to work collaboratively with the schools on programs and strategies to help address these concerns.

PROS:

• Allows the Town to take a more proactive role, even when we are not the primary decision-maker.
• Responds to growing community concerns regarding school transportation safety.

CONS:

• The Town is currently understaffed, so this effort could require shifting staff resources away from other projects.
• Potential solutions could result in additional costs to taxpayers if Cary contributes funding toward implementation.

E-Bike Safety

This proposal was submitted by Council Members Bansal and Richards and presented at the April 16^th meeting. It was part of our June 23^rd work session.

The council initially launched a pilot program in June 2022 to allow e-bikes. After a one-year trial period, the program was made permanent, with a posted speed limit of 15 mph on greenways. Recently, however, there have been complaints that e-bikes, scooters, and similar devices are traveling at excessive speeds and creating potentially hazardous conditions.

PROS:

• We are listening to our citizens’ complaints.
• Preventing e-bikes and scooters will possibly make greenways safer.

CONS:

• There is basically no way to enforce an ordinance that has e-bikes or not.
• Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.
• We are revisiting a decision that was made after a one-year trial and review of data.

Council will vote on a draft ordinance of this later this year.

Smoke Free Ordinance

This proposal was submitted by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush and Council Member Craig and presented at the April 16^th meeting. It was part of our June 23^rd work session.

PROS:

• Eliminates toxic secondhand smoke.
• Current ordinance does not match state law and Raleigh/Wake ordinance.

CONS:

• Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.

Council will vote on options to add to the current ordinance later this year.

Affordable Housing on Old Library Site

This proposal, submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Bush and Council Member Bansal, would place a podium-style parking deck with affordable housing on the former library site. This has yet to be scheduled for a meeting agenda.

PROS:

• Adds parking across from Downtown Cary Park.
• Create affordable housing units in the downtown area.

CONS:

• May underutilize one of the municipality’s most valuable properties. Downtown Cary Park generates approximately $16 million annually in economic impact, and this site could represent an opportunity for a more transformative use.
• The town has already invested millions in renovating the Ivey-Ellington House, positioning this area as a premier destination.

How Cary Government Works

Cary’s government, like most cities in North Carolina and most mid-sized cities in the U.S., uses a council–manager form of government. This system works a lot like a company, but for local government. Residents elect a council and a mayor, who set policy by passing laws, approving the budget, and guiding the town’s overall priorities. The council then hires a professional manager to run the town’s day-to-day operations.

Think of it like a company: the council acts like a board of directors, making policy and representing the public, while the city manager acts like a CEO, overseeing all departments, such as finance, public works, police, and fire, and managing town staff. The mayor leads council meetings, represents the town publicly, and has limited executive authority. While the council and mayor make policy decisions and receive regular reports, they usually see only high-level summaries rather than the detailed inner workings of each department.

In short, just as a board hires a CEO to run a company, Cary’s council hires a manager to run the town, ensuring professional management while elected officials focus on big-picture decisions and community priorities.

You can find additional information about how Cary’s government works on the town’s website here.

Purpose of this Blog

It is my hope that this blog will provide insight not only into who I am meeting with on behalf of the Town, but also the topics we discuss. I believe strongly in open and transparent government. This blog is one of several initiatives I implemented when I became mayor in 2007 to make the governmental process more accessible to our citizens.

This blog is written with sincerity, honesty, and a commitment to accuracy so our constituents can better understand the work we do. After all, we work for them!